Hair curler



July 14, 1953 E. Q. Moses ET AL HAIR CURLER Filed June 8, 1949 2 Sheets-Sheet l Snventors sfpH/A/f hi Masas 8 foMz//yo Qa//vcy M0555' www, m, am

Gttom gs E. Q. MOSES ETAL July 14, 1953 HAIR CURLER 2 Sheets-Shet 2' Filed June 8. 1949 :inventors H M0656 fMa/vo Qz//Ncy/l/OSES Clttormgs '@Vnu, m, 62m Y W @VM W? Patented July 14, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HAIR CURLER Edmund Quincy Moses and Josephine H. Moses, Scarborough, fN. Y.

Application June s, 1949, serial No. 97,894

7 claims. (c1. 132-42) This invention relates to hair curling devices and particularly to devices which include a rod, bobbin or mandrel upon which the hair is wound and a combined clamp and holder which cooperates with the rod during winding of the curl and is removed after the curl is wound and secured upon the rod. The invention Iinds a particular field of utility in the making of curls in the so-called cold permanent waving process in which a solution is applied to the curl and the curl held in tightly wound condition upon the rod for a suicient length of time to acquire a more or less permanent curled form. In some aspects of the invention, however, it may be used for making any type of curl which is wound upon a bobbin or mandrel.

In the making of permanent wave curls, it is customary to wind the curl spirally one layer over the other upon a rod or mandrel which is of small diameter at the center and tapers in both directions to the extremities which are of larger diameter. Small rods or mandrels of this form are largely used in the application of socalled home permanent waves. Such curlers are of small size and are diilcult to manipulate. Furthermore, in the usual home permanent process, the tips of the strand of hair to be curled are rst enclosed in an end paper so as to hold the ends of the strand together and prevent them from becoming tangled up or frizzy. The tips of the hair enclosed in the end paper are then carefully wound around the rod and after the strand is entirely Wound on the rod, an elastic band or other holding'means is applied to keep the curl in place while it is subjected to treatment with a chemical. While such a process can be applied at home, it is rarely possible for a person to apply the curlers to ones own hair. It is almost always necessary to get someone else to assist in the operation.

In accordance with the present invention, rods are provided which are of the same size and shapev as those usually employed for home service, but in which a combined clamp and holding device is also provided which enables the tip of the curl and the end paper, if used, to be firmly clamped to the rod so that the initiation of the curling operation is made easy. The clamp and y holder also provide a handle by which the rod may be readily rotated so that the winding of the curl is made much easier. The rubber band or other curl holding means is assembled with the rod and the holder is preferably provided with means over which the elastic band may be engaged so that it is held out of the way and .also assists in holding the rod in vproper' relation- 2 ship with the holder during'the winding operation. After the curl is fully wound, Ythe rubber band is detached from its holding means on the holder and engaged with the opposite end of the rod so as to hold the curl in place in the usual manner.

As the clamp engages only the tips of the hair, subsequent convolutions of the curl are wound over the clamp. As it is frequently desired to wind the curl tightly, the rod and clamp are so constructed that the holder and clamp may be removed from the rod without loosening the convolutions of the curl passing over the clamp. This may be accomplished by making the clamp of narrow, thin form, so that it may slide out from between the convolutions of the curl and in the case of a rod larger at the ends than in the center, by making the rod either with a dat side or with a groove of such form that the clamp maybe slid out without swinging movement about its pivot, so that it will not displace the convolutions of the curls which are wound over it. It is also possible, by the use of a curved narrow clamp and a holder and rod so formed as to become disengaged with a relatively short endwise movement of the holder, to. slide the clamp out from between the hair and rod without displacement of the curl. In such construction the forming of a at side on the rod or of a groove therein is unnecessary.

In the accompanying drawings, which show certain preferred embodiments of the invention and illustrate the principles thereof and preierred constructions for carrying out the same:

Figure 1 isa top View of one form of rod or mandrel and holder and clamp therefor;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal section on the line 2 2 of Figure l;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of part of the rod holder and clamp shown in Figures 1 and 2 on an enlarged scale;

Figure 4 is a transverse section on line 4 4 of Figure 3;

Figure 5 is a transverse section on the line 5 5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a transverse section of the notched end of the curler shown in Figure 3;

Y Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the application of the curler to the end of a strand of hair wrapped in an end paper;

Figure 8 is a view of the back of the head showing the operation of Winding a curl;

Figure 9 is a View showing the application of a Wool leader to a strand of hair instead of an end paper;

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view in longitudinal section showing the holder being detached from a rod without displacing the curl on the latter, such rod not being provided With'a groove for reception of the clamp;

Figure 1l is an end view of the rod on an enlarged scale shown in Fig.

Figurer12 is a transverse section on an enlarged scale on line l2-l2 of Fig. 10;

Figure 13 is a top elevation of a modified form of the device;

Figure 14 is a longitudinal section on line |4-I4 of Figure 13;

Figure 15 is an end view on an enlarged scale of the rod shown in Figures 13 and 14;

Figure 16 is a longitudinal section of a modified form of curler including means for applying a solution to the curl; and

Figure 17 is a transverse section on an enlarged scale on line Il--IT of Figure 16;

Figure 18 is a view partly in side elevation and partly in longitudinal section showing a modified form of holder and bobbin or rod; and

Figure 19 is a perspective view of another modied construction of rod.

Referring to the drawings in detail1 2U is a rod, bobbin or mandrel which is shown as having a waist of small diameter with enlarged heads 22 and 24. This form of rod is generally made of plastic and is similar in form to that commonly used in the making of home permanents, the head 22 having a hole 26 extending transversely therethrough, this hole communicating with a notch 2S of narrower width than the hole, the notch having a flaring mouth 30. This construction permits an elastic band to be slipped through the notch into the hole. The head 24 is similar to the head 22 except that in accordance with the present invention it is provided with a plug or nipple portion 32 extending axially therefrom. Extending diametrically through the nipple from the outer end thereof, is a slot 34 which is similar to the slot 28 but longer, as it goes entirely through the nipple to the hole 2S which is located in the head 24. The slot 34 preferably has a aring mouth 3U, as in the case of the slot 28. The nipple 32 is preferably flattened on one side, as indicated at 36, for a purpose which will be explained.

A combined holder and clamp indicated generally at 42 is provided for use with the rod. This comprises a handle portion 44 which has a hollow portion or socket for receiving the nipple 32. As illustrated, the handle is made in the form of a plastic tube so that it is hollow throughout, but this is not essential as long as it is so formed as to receive and hold the nipple. The nipple may t in the holder with either a cylindrical push fit, as shown in Figure 2, or with a tapered fit, as in the form of invention shown in Figures 13, 14 and 15. The socket or bore in the end of the holder is provided with a. flat surface 46 to cooperate with the flat surface 36 of the nipple, so as to prevent rotation of the rod relatively to the holder. Obviously, instead of using flat surfaces, any other shape may be utilized which will prevent rotation. Owing to the fact that the nipple is split by the slot 34, which preferably extends through the nipple lengthwise thereof to the hole 26 Which is located beyond tlie end of the holder when the nipple is inserted therein, the nipple is some- What elastic and its sides will spring inwardly slightly, thereby enabling it to be easily pushed into the holder and at the same time to have a close fit therein so that it will maintain its axial of the slot.

position with respect to the holder. The corners of the nipple may be rounded off or tapered slightly, as indicated at 48, so as to facilitate the insertion of the nipple into the holder. This construction not only gives a rrm fit, holding the holder and rod in alignment, but it prevents the nipple from binding when it is desired to remove the holder from the rod. The slot 34 thus performs the double function of providing means for the passage of the rubber band into the opening 26 and also of providing for the desired degree of elasticity of the nipple which enables it to be closely fitted into and readily removed from the socket in the holder.

A rubber band 50, which is shown as of the character usually utilized with rods of the kind shown, is slipped through the slot 34 into the hole 2S before insertion of the nipple into the holder and stays therein during the winding of the curl. In order to hold the rubber band out of the way, a notch 52 may be provided in the outer end of the holder into which the rubber band is engaged. In this position, the rubber band also draws the rod and the holder together so as to provide further assurance against the accidental premature detachment of the rod from the holder. It will be understood that the rubber band is usually of such size that it will only pass through the slot 34 when considerably stretched, so that normally it will not come out After the curl has been wound on the rod, the rubber band is detached from the notch 52 and swung over to the notch 28 so that it will retain the curl upon the rod in a well understood manner.

In the Winding of curls upon the small rods in accordance with the usual practice in making home waves, it is necessary to carefully manipulate the tips of the hair so as to wrap the end paper 54 (Figure 7) around the same and hold the end paper and the tips of the hair in place upon the small rod while attempting to wind the subse quent convolutions of the hair around the same. This is a difficult and troublesome operation, particularly when attempted to be performed by the fingers of an inexperienced operator, the fingers and the rod being usually Wet from the solution utilized and therefore doubly slippery. Even when performed by an experienced professional operator, the operation is troublesome and tedious. At the same time, it has been found impractical to provide the individual rods with clamps or spoon-bills, when used in practicing the ordinary cold Waving processes. This may be due to the `fact that the curlers are left on the hair during the application of the chemical agent employed which is retained on the hair for a considerable period and might attack the metal of the clamp or spoon-bill if forming a permanent part of the rod. Furthermore, as home waving sets are usually sold at a very moderate price, the cost of providing the necessary number of rods, each with its own clamp or spoon-bill, would be prohibitive. All of the foregoing objections are overcome by the present invention, in which the removable holder is provided with a spring clamp which firmly holds the tips of the hair and end paper, if used, to the rod while the curl is being Wound, but which is removed with the handle as soon as the curl is secured to the rod. The clamp is therefore not left in the curl in contact with the cold waving solution during the period necessary for the complete treatment of the hair.

In the construction shown in Figures 1 to 7, a

spring clamp 56 is mounted on the handle portion 44 and extends outwardly beyond the same so as to extend over 'a substantial partv of the length of the rod 20. Various ways of mounting the spring clamp may be utilized but the construction shown is effective, cheap to manufacture, and easy to assemble. In this construction, the handle member 44 is provided with a pair of lugs 58 which may be molded integral therewith if the handle is of plastic. These lugs 58 have notches 60 in their rear faces communieating with bearing recesses 62. The clamp is provided with side ears 64 which extend down on each side of the lugs and which carry a pivot pin 66. The latter is vof such size that itv will snap through the slots 66 into the bearing recesses 62 and be retained therein. kA spring 68 is provided which has a part coiled around the pin 6B and which is received between the lugs 58. The clamp has a long narrow prong portion l0 which is shaped to lie closely along the surface of the rod. The surfaces '|2 of the lugs 58 are preferably so shaped that the clamp will rest thereon when the rod vis removed so that the clamp normally occupies a position of projecting more or less straight outwardly from thehandle, only sufficient clearance being allowed between the clamp and the surfacesj|2 to permit the spring 68 to press the prong 16 into close contact with the rod. If a rod is used having a waist of small diameter, it will be seen that the prong 10, when in its clamping position, will lie nearer to the axis of the rod than the circumference of the enlarged end 24. The latter is therefore preferably provided with a groove 14 which extends from the portion of minimum diameter of the rod across the enlarged head 24 and across the nipple. This permits the prong to be drawn straight out from between the convolutions of the curl when the holder is removed from the rod with the curl wound thereon, it being possible to do this without loosening or displacing any part of the curl. The prong 10 is preferably curved in transverse section, as

shown in Figure 5, `so as to closely engage the A surface of the rod and to provide additional longitudinal stiffness. The groove 'I4 may be formed with a convex bottom surface 16, as shown in Figure 6, of a shape to conform with the curvature of the prong. The corners of the groove, as it passes through the enlarged head 24, are preferably rounded off as indicated at 18.

One advantage of the use of a holder having a spring clamp thereon in accordancewith the present invention is that it is possible, if desired,

to dispense with the end papers and use a leader 19 of soft wool or the like, as'shown in Figure 9. Such Wool leaders or wraps are sometimes used by professional operators but it has been impracticable to make use of such leaders when making home waves woundv on the ordinary clampless rods. It is perfectly feasible, however, to use this feature in connection with the holder of the present invention having a clamp by which the leader may be gripped and Wound upon the rod in starting the curl. 1

Figures 10, 11 and 12 show a modification of the invention in which the longitudinal groove in the rod for permitting withdrawal of the clamp is dispensed with. As shown particularly in Fig. 10, if the nipple 32a on the rod 20u is not too long, the tubular or socketed holder 44a carrying the clamp 56a may be drawn off from the rod far enough to disengage the holder from the end of the nipple without displacement of the curl.

Thereupon, the holder may be swung laterally of the rod as the curved prong 10aof the clamp is slid over the surface of the rod and out from under the curl. There should be some clearance left between the head 24a of the rod and the curved part of the clamp overlying the same when the rod is fully engaged with the holder so as to permit a limited withdrawal movement of the holder before substantial displacement of the clamp is caused by its engagement with the head 24a. This is readily accomplished by proper proportioning of the parts. In this construction the holder tube 44a is shown as having a ribbed or corrugated inner diameter provided withv a plurality of longitudinally extending flutes 80. The nipple 32a is provided with corresponding flutes 8| which engage with the flutes in the holder so as to prevent rotation. The holder tube 44a may be made of transparent plastic, in which case the flutes act as light refractors thereby producing an optical effect which causes the holder to present a more brilliant appearance than would be the case if it were made of a tube of uniform wall thickness.

In Figures 13, 14 and 15, a modified rform of the invention is shown in which the handle member 82 carriesa comb 84 which may be used to comb out the strand of hair` before the application to the curler thereto. This comb may be provided with a notch 86 for holding the rubber band out of the way duringl the curling operation. In this construction, the nipple has been shown as slightly tapered as at 68, the socket 96 in the holder being similarly tapered. The rod also has been shown as provided with a nipple 32 at each end so that it is reversible and either end may be inserted in the holder. The rod is also shown as formed with a flat surface 92 extending all the way across the same from end to end thereof. This permits the prong of the clamp to move over the fiat surface and to be withdrawn without displacing the curl. The socket 96 is provided with a flat portion 94 with which the flat surface 92 of the nipple 32 engages so as to hold the rod against rotation in the holder. The lengthwise contour of the curved portion 96 of the clamp substantially corresponds with the contour of the enlarged head 24, so that it helps to support the part of the curl which is wound over it in circular form. If the part of the clamp extending lengthwise over the rod is curved in cross-section, as shown in Fig. 5, it provides a rounded form over the flattened side of the rod over which the outer convolutions of the hair are wound.

Figures 16 and 1'7 show another modified form of the invention in which the rod- |80 is provided with a central bore |02 from which there are a number of lateral openings |04. The rod, if desired, may be provided with longitudinal grooves |06 into the bottoms of which the holes Iii@ open. The surfaces of the grooves |06 may be roughened, if desired. This hollow rod is used with a hollow holder |68 which forms a cylinder into which hair treating solution may be introduced, as indicated at |40. In the cylinder, a plunger ||2 is mounted so that after the curl has been wound upon the rod, the plunger may be pushed in and caused to expel the hair treating liquid through the holes |04 into the grooves |06 which will distribute the liquid throughout the interior of the curl. v

Another modified form of the invention is shown in FigurelB, inr which a holder is provided similar to those already described, the rod,

bobbin or mandrel being' shown as a hollow metal tube provided with Ventilating perforations |22. The mandrel |2|l has two nipple portions |24 separated by a slot |26 sc that such portions are resilient and may be tted closely and easily in the socketY in the holder. This mandrel |20 may be provided with a rubber band similar to that already described or it may be provided with a wire bail |28 for holding the curl in place on the mandrel in a well understood manner. If desired, the bail may be provided with a rubber roller |30 which will snap into the outer end of the mandrel when clamping the hair in place or will snap into the end of the holder so as to hold the mandrel rmly in the holder during the curling operation and also keep the bail out of the way. In order to use the holder in this way, the holder is provided with a shoulder at the bottom of the mandrelreceiving bore and the distance from the outer end of the holder to the pivotal point |42 of the bail when the mandrel is inserted into the bore is made the same as the length of the mandrel from its outer end to such pivotal point.

Figure 19 shows a modified form of rod |50 having an elastic cord |52 secured to one of the enlarged ends thereof. The other end of the rod has crossed, slightly V-shaped notches |54 formed therein for engagement with the free end of cord |52. The latter is preferably provided With a button |55 thereon to prevent the cord from slipping out of the notches |54. This rod is provided with a nipple |55 transversely split by crossed grooves |58 so as to give the nipple sufficient elasticity to permit it to be pushed in or pulled out of the socket in the holder.

While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it is to be understood that changes may be made therein and the invention embodied in other structures. It is not, therefore, the intention to limit the patent to the specific construction illustrated, but to cover the invention broadly in Whatever form its principle may be utilized.

We claim:

1. In a curler, the combination of a holder, a rod of rigid material having a waist of reduced diameter and enlarged heads, said rod having a formation on at least one end thereof for removable engagement with the holder for holding the rod in axial alignment with the holder during the curling operation, and a spring clamp pivotally mounted on the holder for pivotal movement about an axis transverse to the axis of the holder and having a clamping portion extending along the rod throughout the major portion of the length thereof for clamping the ends of the hair in initiating the formation of a curl, said holder and clamp being removable endwise from said rod after the curl has been fully Wound thereon, a curl-securing binder attached to the end of the rod formed for engagement with the holder, means on the other end of the rod for engaging said binder after the curl is formed, and means on the outer part of the holder for engaging said binder during formation of the curl, said binder when engaged with said means on the holder assisting in temporarily holding the rod in engagement with the holder.

2. In a hair curler, a holder having a socket in the end thereof and a spring clamp carried by the holder and having a clamping portion extending in a general axial direction beyond the end of theholder in combination with a hair curling rod having a Waist portion and enlarged heads, the head on at least one end of said rod having a transverse hole therethrough and having a nipple projecting therefrom, and a slot in said end of said rod extending from the transverse hole in the head through said nipple and open at the outer end thereof, said nipple being formed of resilient material and being of such size and shape as to t firmly in the socket in the holder an elastic curl binding band passing through the hole in the end of the rod carrying the nipple and a formation at the'other end of the rod for temporary engagementwith said band after the curl has been wound on the rod.

3.- In a hair curler, a holder having a socket in the end thereof and a spring clamp carried by the holder and having a clamping portion extending in a general axial direction beyond the end of the holder in combination with a hair curring rod having a waist portion and enlarged heads, each of said heads having a transverse hole therethrough, and a. slot communicating with said hole, at least one end of said rod having a nipple of reduced diameter projecting therefrom, the slot in said end of said rod extending from the transverse hole in the head through said nipple and open at the outer end thereof, said nipple being formed of resilient material and being of such size and shape as to t firmly in the socket in the holder, and an elastic curl binding band passing through the hole in the end of the rod carrying the nipple, the holder having a band holding formation in the outer part thereof, said band being engageable under tension in said formation so as to assist in holding the rod to the holder during the winding of the curl, said band being removable from its engagement with the holder for engagement in the slot in the outer end of the rod after the curl has been formed, so as to hold the curl in curled condition while releasing the holder for removal endwise from the rod and curl thereon.

4. In a curler, a holder having a socket therein, a spring clamp pivotally mounted on the holder for swinging movement about an axis transverse to the axis of the holder, said clamp having a longitudinal concavely curved prong extending beyond the end of the holder, and a rod having a concave curvature in a longitudinal direction providing a small waist portion and enlarged heads, the longitudinal curvature of the rod surface being approximately the same as the longitudinal curvature of the prong, said rod having a nipple for engagement with the socket in the holder, said rod and holder being separable by axial movement suicient t0 disengage the nipple from the socket whereupon the holder and clamp may be withdrawn from the rod with the curl Wound thereon in a curved path so as to withdraw the prong from the curl without displacement thereof.

5. In a hair curler, a holder having a socket therein, a spring clamp pivotally mounted on the holder for swinging movement about an axis transverse to the axis of the holder, said clamp extending longitudinally beyond the end of the holder, and a rod having a nipple for engagement with the socket in the holder, said rod having a concave configuration longitudinally so as to provide a small waist and enlarged heads, the clamping portion of the clamp overlying said rod having a concave curvature in a longitudinal direction substantially like the concave curvature of the rod.

6. A curling rod formed of resilient plastic material having a longitudinally split nipple projecting from one end thereof for engagement with a holder socket, said nipple being smaller in diameter than the end of the rod from which it projects so as to provide a stop shoulder for engagement with the end of the holder socket, an elastic curl binding member secured' to the shaft of said curler adjacent to the point where the nipple joins the shaft of the curler but inwardly of the shoulder so as not to prevent the seating of the shoulder against the end of the holder socket, and a notched formation at the other end -of the curler for detachable engagement with said elastic binding element.

7. A curling rod formed of resilient plastic material having a longitudinally split nipple proj ecting from one end thereof for engagement with a, holder socket, said nipple being smaller in diameter than the end of the rod from whichV it projects so as to provide a stop shoulder for engagement with the end of the holder socket, said rod having a transverse hole therein adjacent to the point where the nipple joins the shaft of the rod but inwardly of the shoulder, an elastic loop passing through said hole inwardly of the shoulder so as not to prevent the seating of the shoulder against the end of the holder socket, and a notch in the other end of the rod adapted to be engaged by said elastic loop after the curl is formed.

- EDMU'ND QUINCY MOSES.

J OSEPHINE H. MOSES References cited in" `the me of this patent UNITED sTATEs PATENTS Number Name Date 1,457,099 Winks May 29, 1923 1,956,661 Tansey May 1, 1934 2,013,311 Lakenbach Sept. 3, 1935 2,395,965 Grant Mar. 5, 1946 2,402,470 Toro June 18, 1946 2,434,279 McDonough Jan. 13, 1948 2,436,092 Bonat j Feb. 17, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date France Nov. v2, 1948 

